Ruddock poll cash linked to Philippine fugitive

By Mark Riley, Cynthia Banham and Craig SkehanJune 3 2003

A Philippine businessman with the same name and birth date as the most wanted corporate fugitive in the Philippines donated $10,000 to the 2001 re-election campaign of the Immigration Minister, Phillip Ruddock.

Dante Tan is wanted over the largest insider trading case in Philippines history, which contributed to the eventual resignation of President Joseph Estrada.

Documents filed at the Australian Electoral Commission show that a Dante Tan made the contribution to Mr Ruddock's Berowra electoral campaign in October 2001.

A spokesman for the minister said last night that Mr Ruddock "has met the fellow at social functions" but was not aware he made a donation. "He's certainly not aware he had any links to criminal activities in the Philippines."

Mr Tan channelled the 2001 donation through the Parramatta business address of a prominent Lebanese businessman, Karim Kisrwani.");document.write("

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Mr Kisrwani is already at the centre of a political donation controversy over a Liberal Party fund-raiser for the Parramatta MP, Ross Cameron, which was attended by Mr Ruddock.

Mr Kisrwani told the Herald last night that Mr Tan was "a millionaire businessman who had no fixed address" at the time he made the donation.

"He wanted to make the donation and the Liberal Party told him he had to use an Australian address so I let him use mine."

Mr Tan was a gambler who had "lived" at the Crown Casino in Melbourne. He had received Australian citizenship, Mr Kisrwani said.

A company search of Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents last night revealed that Mr Kisrwani and Mr Tan shared directorships of two companies. The documents show that Mr Tan was born in the Philippines on December 4, 1950.

Documents from the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission, presented in 2000 to a Senate inquiry into corruption allegations against President Estrada, list Dante T. Tan as president and CEO of Best World Gaming and Entertainment Group. His birthdate is recorded as December 4, 1950.